Keener 13

Today in History:

• 1763 – Odawa Indian Chief Pontiac and 300 followers attempted to take Fort Detroit by surprise. After his plan failed, Pontiac laid siege to the fort two days later, and was eventually joined by more than 900 warriors from a half-dozen tribes in the struggle against the British military occupation of the Great Lakes region.
• 1847 – In Philadelphia, the American Medical Association (AMA) was founded.
• 1946 – Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corp. was founded, later renamed Sony.
• 1958 -The Champs performed their instrumental hit “Tequila” on ABC-TV’s “American Bandstand.”
• 1966 – The Mamas and the Papas started a three-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Monday Monday.” The band members reportedly said they all hated the song, except for its writer John Phillips. The Mamas and the Papas won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for this song.
• 1966 – The Rolling Stones released the single “Paint It, Black” in the U.S.
• 1967 – Soviet youths openly defied police and danced the Twist in Moscow’s Red Square during May Day celebrations.
• 1970 – The Temptations released the single “Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today).”
• 1972 – Reginald Dwight legally changed his name to Elton John.
• 1973 – George Harrison released “Give Me Love.” Harrison’s single went on to replace “My Love” by Paul McCartney at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and in turn was replaced at #1 by “Will It Go Round in Circles” by singer/musician Billy Preston, who played with Harrison and McCartney during the “Let It Be” sessions in 1969.
• 1977 – The Eagles went to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Hotel California,” the group’s fourth U.S. No. 1.
• 1978 – The 90,000 tickets available for Bob Dylan’s concerts at London’s Wembley Empire Pool were all snatched up in less than eight hours.
• 1982 – The first Men at Work album, Business as Usual, already a No. 1 hit in their native Australia, is finally released in America. In November, it rises to the top in the U.S.
• 1994 – Randy Bachman led 1,322 guitarists who had gathered in Vancouver to play Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business,” for 68 minutes and 40 seconds.
• 1998 – Steve Perry officially left Journey, honoring an agreement made with Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain that they would reform the band without him if he was not able to tour. He was replaced with the similar-sounding Steve Augeri.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Edwin Land, the inventor of instant photography, as in the Poloroid Land Camera was born today in 1909.
• Actor Darren McGavin of “Christmas Story” fame was born today in 1922.
• American Comediaenne Totie Fields was born today in 1930.
• Beatle publicist Derek Taylor wasb born in Liverpool on this date in 1932.
• R&B singer Jimmy Ruffin (“What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”) was born today in 1936.
• Johnny Maestro — lead singer for the Crests, the Del-Satins, and the Brooklyn Bridge — was born today in 1939.
• Journalist tim Russert was born today in 1950.
• Country singer-songrwriter Terry Allen (“Amarillo Highway”) is 81.
• Thelma Houston is 79.
• Bill Danoff of Starland Vocal Band (“Afternoon Delight”) is 79.
• Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann is 78.
• Mic Gillette of Tower of Power was born today in 1951.
• Eagle-Eye Cherry is 57.

Happening Today in Metro Detroit:

Visit Detroit Hometown Tourist Day, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Campus Martius Park, Detroit. Info: visitdetroit.com/hometowntouristday
Detroit Institute of Arts Free General Admission for Tri-County Residents, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (typical Wed), 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit. Info: https://dia.orgUniversity of Michigan Museum of Natural History Free General Admission, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (typical Wed), 1105 N University Ave, Ann Arbor. Info: https://lsa.umich.edu/ummnh

Building Big with Paper Cups, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Ann Arbor District Library – Traverwood Branch, 3333 Traverwood Dr, Ann Arbor. Info: https://aadl.org/events

Teens Night Out, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM, Baldwin Public Library, 300 W Merrill St, Birmingham. Info: https://events.getlocalhop.com/teens-night-out/event/xuKLHa7QxG/

Books and Bricks, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM, Ann Arbor District Library – South Branch (Malletts Creek), 3090 E. Eisenhower Pkwy, Ann Arbor. Info: https://aadl.org/events

Pet Protectors, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Dearborn Public Library – Edison Branch (DPL system), 16101 W Warren Ave, Detroit. Info: https://detroitpubliclibrary.org/events

Home Grown for Homeschool Scholars, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave, Mt Clemens. Info: https://mtclib.org/calendar.aspx

LEGO Club, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Romulus Public Library, 11121 Wayne Rd, Romulus. Info: https://romuluslibrary.org/calendar/
Learn to Ride a Bike (for Detroit Kids), 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM, Lexus Velodrome, 601 Mack Ave, Detroit. Info: https://lexusvelodrome.com/events/tag/detroit-kids/2025-05/

Basic Computer Skills Class, (Varies, e.g., 5-6 PM or 6-7 PM), Detroit Public Library system (check specific branches). Info: https://detroitpubliclibrary.org/events
Belle Isle Nature Center Exploration/Possible Guided Walks, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (general hours), 176 Lakeside Dr, Detroit. Info: https://belleislenaturecenter.detroitzoo.org

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at the 44th Annual Art Birmingham! Enjoy 150 artists, live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, and craft cocktails—all in scenic Shain Park, downtown Birmingham. It’s free and fun for all! Saturday, May 10, 10 to 6, and Sunday, May 11, 10 to 5. Details at artbirmingham.org.

What’s Happening:

RIP Skype, 2003 to 2025. Microsoft has officially shut down the once-dominant video chat app, directing users to its newer platform, Microsoft Teams. Purchased for $8.5 billion in 2011, Skype now survives only as a dial pad inside Teams. One era ends—another continues in its place.

Real ID is about to become a requirement for air travel. Here’s what you need to know.

Today in History:

1915 – Future Baseball Hall of Fame slugger Babe Ruth hits his first MLB home run; pitches 12 frames in Boston Red Sox 4-3 extra innings loss to New York Yankees.
1937 – German airship Hindenburg explodes in flames at Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 35 of the 97 on board and one on the ground.
1941 – At California’s March Field, Bob Hope performs his first USO show.
1954 – English athlete Roger Bannister becomes the first to run a sub-4-minute mile, recording 3:59.4 at Iffley Road Track in Oxford.
1957 – Last broadcast of “I Love Lucy” on CBS.
1960 – US President Eisenhower signs Civil Rights Act of 1960.
1965 – James Brown records “I Got You (I Feel Good).”
1966 The Rolling Stones release the single “Paint It Black” in the US, featuring prominent sitar music played by Brian Jones.
1971 – Ike and Tina Turner’s cover of “Proud Mary” is certified Gold.
1972 – Elton John releases “Rocket Man.”
1973 – Simon begins his first tour as a solo artist, performing at Music Hall in Boston at a show that is recorded for his album Live Rhymin’.
1978 – The Knack is formed.
1982 – Dianna Ross gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a solo artist
1997 – For the first time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame holds its induction ceremony in its hometown of Cleveland, after previously hosting the event in New York. That year’s inductees include The Jackson 5, The Bee Gees, The Young Rascals, Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Today’s Birthdays:

1856 – Sigmund Freud is born in Austria.
1895 – Actor Rudooph Valintno is born in Castellaneta, Italy.
1915 – Orson Welles is born Kenosha, Wisconsin.
1931 – Willie Mays is born in Westfield, Alabama.
Bob Seger turns 80 today. born in Lincoln Park, and educated at. Ann Arbor High, he becomes a fixture on the Detroit music scene in the late ’60s and becomes a star with his 1976 album Night Moves. He rocks out on songs like “Old Time Rock And Roll” and “Katmandu” but is best known for songs like “Turn The Page” and “Against The Wind,” which stir up a range of emotions.
Folk singer Mary MacGregor, known for the 1976 hit “Torn Between Two Lovers,” is 76.
Guitarist Davey Johnstone, a longtime member of Elton John’s band, is 74.
Tony Blair is 72.
Tom Bergeron, American game show host (America’s Funniest Home Videos, 2006-15), is 70.
George Clooney is 64.

Things to do in Detroit and Michigan:

Awesome Mitten has compiled a list of the 10 best bike trails near Traverse City. Here’s a link to help find them:

Pine Knob Music Theater celebrates its 52nd season with Neil Young, Rod Stewart, Earth, Wind & Fire and more. Get details on all the summer shows across Metro Detroit here:

What’s Happening:

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Continue reading “Keener Today – May 5” →

What’s Happening:

Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the rain- soaked stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby yesterday.

Warren Buffett is stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway by the end of 2025. He has named Greg Abel as his successor, and the transition is expected to be finalized by year’s end. Buffett will remain with the company in an advisory role. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 4” →

Today is World Press Freedom Day, a celebration the United Nations established more than 30 years ago to remind us that a free press is essential to a functioning and ethical society and is a critical force for the public good. It’s also the 54th Birthday of National Public Radio, born on this date in 1971, Continue reading “Keener Today – May 3” →

What’s Happening:

The Pistons storybook season came to an end last night with a game 6 playoff loss to the Knicks, 116-113 at Little Caesar’s Arena. What an amazing turnaround the year after our guys endured a record setting 28 game losing streak. Well done team! Continue reading “Keener Today – May 2” →

What’s Happening:

The latest data on grocery shopping in Detroit shows Keener continuing to dominate Meijer and Walmart with more than twice the market share.

The Pistons host the Nicks after dispatching New York at Garden on April 29. Tip off here at home is 7:30PM.

The Tigers take on the Angels tonight on the left coast. Game time 9:38pm

And Alan Haller is out as athletic director at Michigan State. Iconic basketball coach, Tom Izzo will add interim AD to his resume. Continue reading “Keener Today – May 1” →

What’s Happening:

The Pistons staved off elimination last night in New York, beating the Knicks, 106-103. Little Caesars Arena hosts Game 6 at 7:30pm tomorrow.

The Astros rallied with three runs in both the 6th and 7th innings to defeat the Tigers 6-4 last night. Game three of the series kicks off at 2:10 in Houston.

In a rare bi-partisan effort, Selfridge Air National Guard Base will receive 21 F-15EX fighter jets. The replacement mission protects the base’s future, which had been in doubt with the phaseout of the A-10 aircraft. (Free Press)

Only 3 of Michigan’s 9 measles cases in 2025 had public alerts issued within 6 days—soon enough for exposed people to get protective treatment, per a Free Press review. Continue reading “Keener Today – April 30” →

From Keener Contact News. Pope Francis has died at the age of eighty eight, ending a historic and often transformative papacy.

The Vatican confirmed his passing early Monday, marking the close of a decade-long effort to reshape the Roman Catholic Church into a more inclusive, compassionate institution. Continue reading “Keener Today – April 21” →

Greetings, Keenerfans!

Today, we celebrate the legendary Neil Sedaka, born March 13, 1939. Sedaka’s career spans over six decades as a singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. From teen pop sensation to international superstar, his hits—like Calendar Girl, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, and Laughter in the Rain—continue to inspire the Keener generation. His contributions to music, from the Brill Building era to classical compositions, cement his legacy as one of the greats. Happy 86th, Neil!

March 13 is “313” day in Detroit, in honor of the city’s first area code. Continue reading “Keener Today – March 13” →

Happy 85th birthday to Dean Torrence, one-half of the legendary surf rock duo, Jan and Dean! Born on March 10, 1940, in Los Angeles, California, Dean played a pivotal role in shaping the California Sound, a genre that captured the carefree, sun-soaked lifestyle of the West Coast. Alongside his musical partner Jan Berry, Dean helped pioneer vocal surf music in the early 1960s, influencing countless artists and writing an indelible chapter in rock and roll history. Continue reading “Keener Today – March 11” →